Mobile Guys that offer washes only

**WindyCity** · 05-30-2011, 03:20 PM

Just curious, I have seen a lot of mobile guys that offer wash only packages and they are charging like 20-30 bucks or something like that. I was interested if that is even worth it? I would think that it is not even worth the effort to leave the house for something like that unless you are doing like at least 4 cars at a time at the same location. I can see if you are detailing and someone comes up and asks for a wash while you are already set up so sure an extra 20 for a quick wash is cool. Or even if it is for a neighbor or something like that. But to drive anywhere and have to set up?

I was wondering since my cheapest wash is 70 (small car) and the first 5 miles from my home is included. This includes a through wash, wheels and tires cleaned, interior vac and wipe the dash. TOTAL time (including setup and clean up) is 1.5 hours so I can make a quick buck and it doesn't take a lot of time in my day.

Just trying to get some input from you guys!

**catfish07** · 05-30-2011, 04:38 PM

I don't advertise wash only packages but i will do them.. I go $40/car 50/small suv $60 big truck/suv. Most don't bite and that's okay cause once they call I can offer a wax also for $20 more and that usually makes a better value for them. it's gotta be worth it and as long as i'm at $50/hour i'm okay with it.. usually I will do washes if it's gonna be on a weekly or Bi-weekly basis.. I have one company that I started with a full detail on their 3500 sprinter and have since been doing weekly washes at $40 each.. it's 1.5 miles from me and takes 30-45 minutes to do so it's not bad.. easy grunt work. I do waxes every 4 months for $50 more and have also picked up a ton of work from people in the area so that's a hidden bonus.. but if someone calls and wants me to just do a wash, then they pay the above prices. my experience tells me that if they are going to be repeat customers, then they usually start with a full detail then washes but if they want a wash the first time, I usually don't see them again...

when someone says "$50 for a car wash???" I say, "no, $50 for MY car wash" there is a difference.

**catfish07** · 05-30-2011, 04:47 PM

forgot to mention, sometimes I really do enjoy washes... but only when it's multiple like you were talking about... for example.... last Thursday I went to a school that wanted me to do washes for their teachers as an appreciation day.. I did 7 cars total. some were cars and some were SUVs. I set up my shade and got setup and they brought me out the keys... I cranked my Ipod and got busy... got there at 9am and rolled out at 2:30 with $320. not bad for washing cars... I went home driving by the fixed location $10 car wash places attached to the 7-11s. all the while thinking I love this business and love being mobile!!

**RTexasF** · 05-30-2011, 05:32 PM

Amazing what you guys can get for a wash. Down here in Northern Mexico $70 will get you a complete interior & exterior detail on a Suburban!

**ride5150** · 06-01-2011, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by RTexasF

Amazing what you guys can get for a wash. Down here in Northern Mexico $70 will get you a complete interior & exterior detail on a Suburban!

i actually laughed out loud when i read that

**gumbedamit** · 06-01-2011, 02:08 PM

During the week I have my truck at several business parks where I charge $20 for a wash. I can do about 20-30 cars, which is much more lucritive than detailing. While I'm there, I may get a detail, or get a new client for a detail. I have pulled in almost $1K in a single day doing washes. I once got a $50 tip for a $20 wash... On the weekend I have a static location that I do details and washes. There are purest here that frown on doing washes, thats cool, but they do pay the bills.

**LuxuryMobile** · 06-01-2011, 02:44 PM

There is a market for everything.

You can make money doing 40+ hour correction jobs and/or 40 minute washes.

**gumbedamit** · 06-01-2011, 03:22 PM

If you can get continuous detail or correction work thats cool. People tend to get their car washed every week or so, that seems to be more dependable. I get about 8 or so details a month, vs 250+ washes. When it comes to washing, it's more of a production thing, not spending 40 mins on a car for $20. More like 4 cars an hour. I have a team of 3, me doing details. 2 guys washing. I would love to be able to do High End details, but I've not been able to make that happen yet, so, a washing we will do...

**Perfections** · 06-01-2011, 06:56 PM

I mix it up, I have set days for washes and set days for details, I have parking lots that I go to every week and just do washes, and sometimes a wax, it's nice to kinda mix it up I think

**ExpressDetail** · 06-01-2011, 11:25 PM

I have yet to figure out the $20 wash myself. One thing that kills me the most I think is I always overdue things. Like I see a spot in the seat because they may say something etc. Its a bad habit I need to break first!